US9399418B2 - Independent cushion extension and thigh support - Google Patents

Abstract

A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat frame. A first leg support is pivotally coupled with a forward portion of the seat frame. The first leg support is operable between raised and lowered positions. A first extendable member is disposed on a top portion of the first leg support and is operable between extended and retracted positions. A second leg support is adjacent to and independent of the first leg support and is pivotally coupled with the forward portion of the seat frame. The second leg support is operable between raised and lowered positions. A second extendable member is disposed on a top portion of the second leg support and is operable between extended and refracted positions.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a vehicle seating assembly, and more particularly to a vehicle seating assembly that includes an independent cushion extension and thigh support.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Modern vehicle seats are becoming more and more comfortable as a further understanding of human ergonomics, posture, and comfortability is studied. Vehicle seating assemblies that include comfort components in the vehicle seat back and the vehicle seat can provide the driver and passengers with improved comfort and increased endurance for extensive vehicle rides. Additionally, various sizes and shapes of drivers and passengers can prove challenging when providing vehicle seating assemblies. Accordingly, vehicle seating assemblies that include components to accommodate the different sizes and shapes of drivers and passengers, as well as the desired posture and sitting positions of those drivers and passengers, has become increasingly important.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle seating assembly includes a seat frame. A first leg support is pivotally coupled with a forward portion of the seat frame. The first leg support is operable between raised and lowered positions. A first extendable member is disposed on a top portion of the first leg support and is operable between extended and retracted positions. A second leg support is adjacent to and independent of the first leg support and is pivotally coupled with the forward portion of the seat frame. The second leg support is operable between raised and lowered positions. A second extendable member is disposed on a top portion of the second leg support and is operable between extended and retracted positions.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle seating assembly includes a seat frame. A first leg support is pivotally coupled with a forward portion of the seat frame. The first leg support includes a first extendable member disposed on a top portion thereof. A second leg support is independent of the first leg support and is pivotally coupled with the forward portion of the seat frame. The second leg support includes a second extendable member disposed on a top portion thereof.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle seating assembly includes a seat frame supporting a pivot rod and first and second distinct leg supports. Each of the first and second distinct leg supports includes a body portion and a flange that extends over the pivot rod. The flange is spring-biased and operably coupled to a motor that pivots the first and second distinct leg supports between raised and lowered positions. Each of the first and second distinct leg supports includes an extendable member slidably coupled therewith.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a vehicle seating assembly of the present invention disposed in a vehicle;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the vehicle seating assembly ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a vehicle seating assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the vehicle seating assembly ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top perspective exploded view of the seat of the vehicle seating assembly ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective exploded view of a portion of the seat of the vehicle seating assembly ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective exploded view of a portion of the seat of the vehicle seating assembly ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the vehicle seating assembly ofFIG. 3 with first and second leg supports in the retracted and lowered positions;

FIG. 8A is a top perspective view of the leg supports ofFIG. 8;

FIG. 9 is a partial side cross-sectional elevational view taken at line IX-IX illustrating the leg supports ofFIG. 8 in a retracted position;

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the vehicle seating assembly of the present invention with one of the leg supports in a lowered position;

FIG. 10A is a top perspective view of the leg supports ofFIG. 10 with one of the leg supports in a lowered position;

FIG. 11 is a partial side elevational cross-sectional view taken at line XI-XI ofFIG. 10A illustrating one of the leg supports in an extended position;

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of the vehicle seating assembly of the present invention with one of the leg supports in a raised position;

FIG. 12A is a top perspective view of the leg supports ofFIG. 12 with one of the leg supports in the raised position;

FIG. 13A is a partial side elevational cross-sectional view taken at XIIIA-XIIIA of the leg support ofFIG. 12A in the raised position;

FIG. 13B is a partial side elevational cross-sectional view of the leg support ofFIG. 13A after movement from the raised position to the lowered position; and

FIG. 13C is a partial side elevational cross-sectional view of the leg support ofFIG. 13B after movement to the raised position and the retracted position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented inFIG. 1. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2,reference numeral10 generally designates a vehicle seating assembly having aseat frame12. Afirst leg support14 is pivotally coupled with aforward portion16 of theseat frame12. Thefirst leg support14 is operable between raised and lowered positions. A firstextendable member20 is disposed on thefirst leg support14 and is operable between extended and retracted positions. Asecond leg support22 is adjacent to and independent of thefirst leg support14 and is pivotally coupled with theforward portion16 of theseat frame12. Thesecond leg support22 is operable between raised and lowered positions. A secondextendable member24 is disposed on thesecond leg support22 and is operable between extended and retracted positions.

Referring again toFIGS. 1 and 2, thevehicle seating assembly10 generally includes aseat30 and a seat back32 that supports aheadrest34 thereon. The seat back32 is pivotally coupled with theseat30, such that the seat back32 can be moved between upright and inclined positions. Theheadrest34 is operably coupled with the seat back32 and also positioned in a variety of positions relative to the seat back32 to support the head and neck of a driver or a passenger. Theseat frame12 includes first andsecond side members40,42 (FIG. 4) supported on legs44 (FIG. 5). Laterally extending frame members43 (FIG. 5) extend between the first andsecond side members40,42. Thelegs44 are operably coupled withslide assemblies46 that are secured to afloor45 of avehicle49.

Referring now toFIGS. 3 and 4, thevehicle seating assembly10 is generally configured to apply selective support to the underside of the legs of the driver or passenger. Specifically, as shown inFIG. 3, each leg of the driver or passenger can be independently supported by an independent leg support. The first and second leg supports14,22 are moveable between raised and lowered positions, as well as between extended and retracted positions to modify aneffective seating area48 of theseat30 and accommodate the size, shape, posture, and sitting positions of the driver or passenger.

Referring now toFIG. 5, thevehicle seating assembly10 includes aseat base50 that is supported over theseat frame12. Aninterface member52 is positioned between theseat frame12 and theseat base50. Theseat base50 is disposed behind the first and second leg supports14,22, and in front of the seat back32. Theinterface member52 includes apivot rod54 that extends between first andsecond sides56,58 of theinterface member52. Additionally, a rear portion of theinterface member52 includes aframe engagement component59 that secures theinterface member52 to theseat frame12. Thepivot rod54 also includes first and second support bases60,62 that support the first and second leg supports14,22, respectively. The first and second support bases60,62 are operably coupled with first andsecond motors64,66. Thefirst motor64 is operably coupled with aslide70 and adrive shaft72. Thedrive shaft72 is capable of laterally translating asupport body74 between extended and retracted positions. Thefirst support base60 is configured to rotate thefirst leg support14 about thepivot rod54 between the raised and lowered positions, as discussed in further detail herein. Similarly, thesecond motor66 is operably coupled with aslide80 and adrive shaft82. Thedrive shaft82 is capable of laterally translating asupport body84 of thesecond leg support22 between extended and retracted positions. Thesecond support base62 is configured to rotate thesecond leg support22 between the raised and lowered positions.

Referring again toFIG. 5, theinterface member52 includes asuspension frame90 disposed thereon. Thesuspension frame90 is configured to provide sufficient support to asuspension member92 and a seat cushion94. Accordingly, thesuspension frame90 includes a shape that largely complements the shape of the seat cushion94. Specifically, thesuspension frame90 includes abody96 defining anaperture98 configured to receive thesuspension member92, which supports the seat cushion94. At the same time, first andsecond wings100,102 extend from thebody96 and are configured to support first and second side cushions104,106 of the seat cushion94. The seat cushion94 is supported above thesuspension frame90 and is protected by acoverstock110. It is anticipated that thecoverstock110 could be any of a variety of materials, including traditional fabrics, as well as leathers, vinyls, etc. Alateral seat brace112 is positioned below the first and second leg supports14,22 and is coupled to theseat frame12. Thelateral seat brace112 assists in guiding the first and second leg supports14,22 between the various positions, and at the same time, provides additional rigidity to theseat frame12 of thevehicle seating assembly10. Thelateral seat brace112 also includes a shroud that protects a forward portion of thevehicle seating assembly10 and is aesthetically pleasing to view.

Referring now toFIGS. 6 and 7, the first and second leg supports14,22 will be discussed in further detail. The first and second leg supports14,22 are configured to engage theinterface member52 of thevehicle seating assembly10. Specifically, the first and second support bases60,62 are pivotally coupled with thepivot rod54 that is rotatably or fixedly coupled with theinterface member52 of thevehicle seating assembly10. The first and second support bases60,62 are operable between the raised and lowered positions about thepivot rod54. The first andsecond motors64,66 of the first and second leg supports14,22, respectively, are positioned on the first and second support bases60,62. The first andsecond motors64,66 are operably coupled with thedrive shafts72,82, respectively. Eachdrive shaft72,82 includes a screw gear120 (FIG. 9) disposed thereon. Thescrew gear120 allows for linear translation of the first and second leg supports14,22 between the extended and retracted positions, as discussed below.

Referring again toFIGS. 6 and 7, each of the first and second leg supports14,22 includes aslide assembly122. Thesupport bodies74,84 are configured to engage theslide assembly122. Thesupport bodies74,84 of the first and second leg supports14,22 include a receivingslot124 configured to receive a portion of theslide assembly122. Each receivingslot124 includes anenlarged recess126 that is configured to receive aslide block130 on theslide assembly122. Theslide block130 is linearly translatable via thescrew gear120 between fore and aft positions. Theslide block130 is configured to engage theenlarged recess126, thereby coupling thesupport body74 or84 with theslide assembly122. As described in further detail below, when theslide block130 is in the aft position, therelevant leg support14 or22 is in the retracted position. Similarly, when theslide block130 is in the fore position, therelevant leg support14 or22 is in the extended position.

Referring again toFIGS. 6 and 7, eachsupport body74,84 is generally configured to be coupled with aflex member140 disposed thereon. Theflex member140 includes anopen matrix142 offlex apertures144 that provide additional comfort and flexibility for the driver or passenger. At the same time, theflex apertures144 provide some breathability in the first and second leg supports14,22 of thevehicle seating assembly10. Theflex member140 is positioned on top of thesupport body74 or84 and is covered by aprotective wrap146. Theprotective wrap146 is covered by aleg support coverstock148 and acushion layer150. Theleg support coverstock148 and thecushion layer150 protect thewrap146 and theflex member140. As shown inFIG. 7, eachsupport body74,84 includes a number of engagement pins154 that secure theflex member140 to thesupport bodies74,84. Each of the first and second support bases60,62 of the first and second leg supports14,22, respectively, includes arearwardly extending flange160 that extends on an opposite side from abody162 of the first and second support bases60,62. Therearwardly extending flange160 is coupled with tension springs164 that are coupled to a mountingbracket166. The tension springs164 bias therelevant support base60 or62 to the raised position. It is generally contemplated that thesupport body74 of thefirst leg support14 and thesupport body84 of thesecond leg support22 may be moveable to the raised position and the lowered position via an actuation assembly operably coupled with a motor. Alternatively, adjustment of the first and second leg supports14,22 may be made manually via a gear system, as understood by one having ordinary skill in the art.

Referring now toFIGS. 8 and 8A, thevehicle seating assembly10 is illustrated with the first and second leg supports14,22 moved to an initial position. In the initial position, the first and second leg supports14,22 are in the retracted position and also in the lowered position. In this initial position, theseating area48 of theseat30 has not been enlarged. Accordingly, theseating area48 is generally configured to support a driver or passenger that is smaller in stature. In the event the driver or passenger has a larger stature and wishes to change theeffective seating area48 of thevehicle seating assembly10, then the first and second leg supports14,22 can be raised independently and also extended independently.

Referring now toFIGS. 10 and 10A, in the illustrated embodiment, thesecond leg support22 has been translated to the extended position. To move thesecond leg support22 to the extended position, the driver or passenger would simply engage a toggle switch on theseat30 that is operably coupled to thesecond motor66. Thesecond motor66 then activates, which turns thedrive shaft82 that is coupled with thescrew gear120. As thescrew gear120 rotates, thesupport body84 of thesecond leg support22 is pushed outwardly away from theseat base50. At the same time, thefirst leg support14 maintains position and does not move. In the event the driver or passenger also wanted thefirst leg support14 to be moved to the extended position, the driver or passenger could engage in the same behavior to actuate thefirst motor64, which would then force thesupport body74 of thefirst leg support14 outward in a similar fashion to that described above with reference to thesecond leg support22.

As shown inFIG. 11, as thescrew gear120 rotates, theslide block130 begins to move relative to thescrew gear120. Specifically, when thesecond motor66 operates in a first direction, thescrew gear120 rotates such that threads of thescrew gear120 push internal threads of theslide block130, which translates theslide block130 and thesecond leg support22 away from the seat base50 (corresponding to the extended position of the second leg support22). When thesecond motor66 operates in a second direction, thescrew gear120 turns in a second direction opposite the first direction, such that theslide block130 is drawn toward the seat base50 (corresponding with the retracted position of the second leg support22).

Referring now toFIGS. 12 and 12A, thevehicle seating assembly10 is illustrated with thesecond leg support22 in a raised position. In the raised position, thesecond leg support22 is better situated to hold or support the underside of a leg of the driver or passenger when the leg is not extended. Thesecond leg support22 is moved to the raised position under the force of the tension springs164 alone, or under the force of the tension springs164 and a motor operably coupled to thesecond support base62 that urges thesecond leg support22 to the raised position. Thefirst leg support14 operates in much the same way. Notably, the first and second leg supports14,22 may be at the lowered position, the raised position, or any position therebetween simultaneously. However, the first and second leg supports14,22 may also be placed at different positions. For example, thefirst leg support14 may be at the lowered position, while thesecond leg support22 may be at the raised position. Moreover, at the same time, regardless of the raised or lowered positions of the first and second leg supports14,22, the first and second leg supports14,22 may also be at the extended or refracted positions. Again, the first and second leg supports14,22 may be placed at the retracted position or the extended position simultaneously. Alternatively, the first and second leg supports14,22 may be positioned differently. For example, thefirst leg support14 may be at the lowered position and the retracted position, while thesecond leg support22 may be at the extended position and the raised position.

As shown in the illustrated embodiment ofFIGS. 13A and 13B, thefirst support base62 of thesecond leg support22 upon which themotor66 is positioned is rotated upwardly (clockwise). As generally noted above, movement of thesecond leg support22 by way of thesecond support base62 can occur by the force of the tension springs164 coupling therearwardly extending flange160 to the mountingbracket166 in theseat30, by a motor that is operably coupled with thesecond support base62 to rotate thesecond support base62 between the raised and lowered positions, or can be by way of a motor that is supplemented by the tension springs164 that extend between the rearwardly extendingflange160 and the mountingbracket166. It will be understood, as shown inFIG. 13C, that the first and second leg supports14,22 can be in the raised or lowered position, or any position therebetween, and at the same time, be in the extended or retracted position.FIG. 13C illustrates thesecond leg support22 in the raised position and the retracted position. Movement of the first and second leg supports14,22 between the raised and lowered positions is independent of movement of the first and second leg supports14,22 between the extended and retracted positions.

The vehicle seating assembly as disclosed herein includes first and second independently moveable leg supports configured to provide independent support to the legs of a driver or passenger. For example, for a driver, frequently, the right leg of the driver is in an extended position to actuate the pedals. At the same time, the left leg of the driver is retracted to provide comfort to the driver. The vehicle seating assembly as disclosed herein can allow for additional support under the right leg of the driver, thereby minimizing the likelihood that the endurance of the driver will wane over long trips. The vehicle seating assembly as disclosed herein also provides additional comfort as the leg supports can be specifically moved and adjusted to conform to the preferred seating style of a particular driver or passenger.

It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described invention and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the invention disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the invention as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating positions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.

It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present invention. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

Claims (14)

What is claimed is:

1. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:

a seat frame;

a first support base pivotal about a forward portion of the seat frame and including a first portion of a forward seating surface, the first support base being operable between raised and lowered positions;

a first extendable member disposed on a top portion of the first support base;

a first motor disposed on the first support base and operable to move the first extendable member between extended and retracted positions;

a second support base adjacent to and independent of the first support base and pivotal about the forward portion of the seat frame and including a second portion of the forward seating surface, the second support base being operable between raised and lowered positions;

a second extendable member disposed on a top portion of the second support base and operable between extended and retracted positions;

a second motor disposed on the second support base and operable to move the second extendable member between extended and retracted positions.

2. The vehicle seating assembly ofclaim 1, further comprising:

a first leg support operably coupled to the first support base by a first slide assembly, and a second leg support operably coupled to the second support base by a second slide assembly.

3. The vehicle seating assembly ofclaim 1, further comprising:

a pivot rod that pivotally couples each of the first and second support bases to the seat frame.

4. The vehicle seating assembly ofclaim 3, wherein the first and second motors include screw gears operably coupled with the first and second extended members, respectively, which translate the first and second extendable members between the extended and retracted positions.

5. The vehicle seating assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the first and second support bases are spring-biased to the raised position.

6. The vehicle seating assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the first support base includes a rearwardly extending flange coupled with a tension spring that biases the first support base to the raised position.

7. The vehicle seating assembly ofclaim 1, wherein each of the first and second extendable members include a support body and a flex member disposed over the support body.

8. The vehicle seating assembly ofclaim 1, further comprising:

a seat base disposed behind the first and second support bases.

9. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:

a seat frame;

first and second support bases pivotal about a forward portion of the seat frame and including first and second extendable members, respectively, each extendable member having a flex member supporting a cushion thereon; and

first and second motors disposed on the first and second support bases, respectively, the first and second motors coupled with and configured to extend and retract the first and second extendable members.

10. The vehicle seating assembly ofclaim 9, further comprising:

a first slide assembly that couples a first leg support to the first support base and a second slide assembly that couples a second leg support to the second support base.

11. The vehicle seating assembly ofclaim 9, further comprising:

a pivot rod extending behind the first and second support bases, the pivot rod pivotally coupling each of the first and second support bases to the seat frame.

12. The vehicle seating assembly ofclaim 9, further comprising:

a seat base disposed behind the first and second support bases.

13. The vehicle seating assembly ofclaim 9, wherein the first and second support bases are spring-biased to the raised position.

14. The vehicle seating assembly ofclaim 9, wherein each of the first and second support bases includes a rearwardly extending flange coupled with a tension spring that biases the first and second support bases to the raised position.

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